Excess paint guard and shield



June 19, 1962 M. KORMUTH EXCESS PAINT GUARD AND SHIELD Filed Nov. 10, 1959 Mart/n Korma/h INVENTOR.

3,039,433 EXCESS PAINT GUARD AND SHIELD Martin Kormnth, 627 Oakland Ave., Charleroi, Pa. Filed Nov. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 852,101 14 Claims. (Cl. 118565) The present invention relates to improved means through the medium of which the exposed surfaces of a floor, baseboard, and top and bottom mouldings may be effectually guarded against the accumulation thereon of excess paint, paint that may be sprayed or splattered during the use of a roller-type applicator or from mishaps, traceable to the use of such an applicator in unskilled hands.

The preceding general statement of the nature of the instant concept is not to imply that so-called paint guards, shields, and protectors are in any sense of the word new. On the contrary, and as is known to persons conversant with the art, many and varied types and styles of surface protecting devices have been devised and offered for use by others working in this field of endeavor. While a number of generally analogous prior patents could be cited here it will suffice, it is believed, to mention the Zastrow mop board protector disclosed in Patent 1,563,-

889 and the Bullock paint shield covered in Patent 2,698,093.

Reference to the above identified prior patents will reveal that horizontally elongated plates have been used singly and collectively and positioned to overhang the baseboard under an adjacent areal portion of the floor, means being provided to removably support the same in a manner to be shifted from place to place as the wall painting job progresses. By contrast the instant invention has to do with structural variations and appropriate adaptations which, it is submitted, will serve to advance the art.

As will be hereinafter evident, the present invention is characterized by several singly and collectively usable and cooperating facilities. This is to say, one improvement relates to that part of the over-all invention hereinafter referred to as a guard. This guard comprises an elongated device, more specifically, a lightweight tube. This tube is intended to be encased by absorbent material, for example, a felt sleeve or pad which may be renewable, or readily attachable and detachable blotter stock or cloth, a surface of which is in close proximity to the wall to catch drippings that might otherwise deposit on the moulding, baseboard or floor.

Adapter clips are used and these resiliently embrace the wrapped tube and have lateral suitably angled shanks which terminate in thin anchoring blades. The blades are adapted to be wedged between the top moulding strip and the wall in a manner to locate the paint absorbing material effectually.

The other and second improvement has to do with a plastic or an equivalent panel-like member or plate which constitutes a shield, one edge of this is provided with openings and the openings are releasably engageable over hook-like tongues on one end of split resilient collars, the collars surrounding the aforementioned covered tube in a manner to cause the shield to overhang the floor and thus intercept loose paint, whereby to protect the floor surfaces.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subseqently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing fragmentary portions of a wall, floor, baseboard, top and bottom atent ice moulding strips and, what is more important, the present invention and how it is constructed and used.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating the elongated tube or tubing which may as is illustrated be made up of one or more companion sections.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the supporting and anchoring clips.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the split resilient hook-equipped collars for supporting the shield; and

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective similar to FIG. 2 showing that adjacent ends of the tubing sections may be threaded or otherwise separably joined.

In FIG. 1 the floor is denoted at A, the baseboard B, the bottom moulding strip C and the top moulding strip D. The device, referred to also as a guard, is made up of one component or more than one to permit the length of the same to be arranged to accommodate the job at hand. It is to be assumed that the device proper can best be utilized in the form of hollow lightweight tubing or sections thereof. For example, in FIG. 2 the numeral 8 designates a cylindrical member comprising a length of tube, the right hand end 10 of which may be removably telescoped into a cooperating end of the next adjacent tube 12. As already mentioned the connection between the tube sections may be a friction-type joint or, as shown in FIG. 6, a screw-threaded type. In FIG. 6 the threaded end portions which are connectible are denoted by the numerals 14 and 16. In practice the tubing may be of cardboard or metal, or plastics. If desired, a removable tubular cover, felt pad or sleeve 18 may be provided to be renewably and removably fitted over the exterior surface of the tube. This constitutes the aforementioned absorbing material. Where felt or equivalent sleeves are not practical because of expense, the tubing or core 8 may be easily covered with available blotting paper or stock, absorbent cardboard, or cloth. The cloth may be simply wrapped around and attached by glueing or with adhesive tape. In any event, the idea is to provide an absorbent surface which is in close proximity to the wall surface as seen in FIG. 3. In this figure the pro portions or parts are such that the true close proximity of the absorbing material to the wall surface is exaggerated. Actually the material can perhaps be in direct contact with the surface. When properly positioned this absorbing material prevents paint drippings, excess paint and splattered paint from depositing itself on the surfaces of the moulding, baseboard or floor.

The covered tube or tubing may be supported in the manner illustrated. Experience has shown that simple plastic or spring metal brackets or C-clips 20 (FIG. 4) may be employed. Each clip 20 comprises a resilient split 'band or C-shaped grip 22 which embraces the device and by using two such clips at the end portions the device may be very well attached and supported. One limb of the clip is provided with an extension referred to as a shank 24 and this is of a suitable length and disposed at an oblique or radial angle as seen in FIG. 3 when it is in use. It may be of such length that it lcan be caught hold of to facilitate applying and removing the device. In any event the free end of the shank is fashioned into a thin resilient anchoring blade 26 which in practice is wedged between the moulding D and the wall surface in the manner shown. Thus, these two clips 20 embracing the device serve to position it so that the absorbent surface will take up excess paint in an obvious manner.

Since it has been found that the covered tubing may not in and of itself provide full protection especially for surfaces of the floor and particularly if the floor be covered with carpeting or a rug, additional protective aoaaass measures are offered. In accomplishing this aspect of the invention, a simple panel-like plate of appropriate material, for example, commercial plastics, may be used. This plate or panel is denoted by the numeral 28 and it is more specifically identified as a flat-faced shield. Either side may be utilized. Along at least one edge relatively large holes or openings 39 are provided to permit the plate to be hung or suspended in a horizontal plane above the floor. The means for attaching and suspending the shield may comprise the simple clasps 32 of the type seen in FIG. 5. Here again a resilient metal or equivalent split band or collar 34 is provided. This is also C-shaped and is readily applicable and removable. The left-hand end portion of the collar is provided with a lateral outstanding tongue 36 and the free end of the tongue is bent down at a diagonal angle as at 38 and provides a hook. These hooked tongues are releasably engaged with the shield by way of the holes or openings 30 with the bill portion of the hook overhanging the solid portion of the plate to support the same. Actually, it would be within the purview of the invention to provide these adaptable collars 32 with means for directly attaching the same to the moulding much in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 whereupon the plate could be used alone. Preferably the plate or shield is supported from the aforementioned absorbent-surfaced tubular guard already described. Thus the guard serves its own purposes and also a support means for the optionally usable readily attachable and detachable shield.

In practice the resilient anchoring and attaching clips 2% are applied in a manner to embrace the absorbent covering material 18 on the tubular guard. Then, the blades 26 are sprung into position and wedged in place and held in the manner illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. Where the shield 28 is desired the resilient split collars or clasps 32 are brought into play and the shield is assembled and used in the manner shown.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials, and rearrangement of component parts may be resorted to in actual practice Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the invention hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use when a roller-type paint applicator is being used; a readily applicable and removable device adapted to protect surfaces of a floor, baseboard and top and bottom moulding from splattering paint, drippings, and mishaps attending unskillful handling of an applicator, said device embodying an elongated guard having its surface covered with paint absorbing material, and attaching and retaining means carried by said guard,

said means functioning to support the guard in a plane above the top moulding along the top edge of the baseboard with an effective surface of the absorbing material in effectual proximity to the wall surface to trap the excess paint before it strikes the moulding, baseboard or floor surfaces, said means embodying at least one clip comprising a split band encircling the guard and a resilient shank having a terminal blade capable of being wedged and temporarily retained between said top moulding and wall surface.

2. For use when a roller-type pm'nt applicator is being used; a readily applicable and removable device adapted to protect surfaces of a floor, baseboard and top and bottom moulding from splattering paint, drippings, and mishaps attending unskillful handling of an applicator, said device embodying an elongated guard having its surface covered with paint absorbing material, and attaching and retaining means carried by said guard, said means functioning to support the guard in a plane above the top moulding along the top edge of the baseboard with an effective surface of the absorbing material in effectual proximity to the Wall surface to trap the excess paint before it strikes the moulding, baseboard or floor surfaces, said means embodying at least one clip with a resilient shank having a terminal blade capable of being wedged and temporarily retained between said top moulding and wall surface, said guard embodying a tube, and said clip further including a split band embracing the: tube.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein the shank projects radially from the band and tube and is adapted to be bent and tensioned when the blade is in,- serted for yieldingly urging the tube toward the wall. surface.

4. The structure defined in claim 2, and in combina tion, a panel-like shield adapted to overhang the floor, and means whereby an inner edge portion of the shield. may be attached to and suspended from said guard.

5. A surface protector'for selected surface portions. of a floor, baseboard and top and bottom moulding strips associated with the baseboard and adjacent to a wall to be painted, a guard comprising a tube having a paint. take-up and absorbing surface, and means for removably mounting said guard on the wall in contact therewith, said means comprising a pair of clips having split resilient bands removably embracing end portions of the tube, each clip having a radially projecting shank and the free end of the shank comprising a thin but sturdy resilient blade capable of being securely wedged between the top moulding and cooperating wall surface in a manner to support the guard.

6. A surface protector for selected surface portions of a floor, baseboard and top and bottom moulding strips;

associated with the baseboard, a guard having a paint take-up and absorbing surface, and means for removably mounting said guard, said means comprising a pair of clips having split resilient bands removably embracing; end portions of the guard, each clip having a radially projecting shank and the free end of the shank com-- prising a thin but sturdy resilient blade capable of being securely wedged between the top moulding and co operating wall surface in a manner to support the guard, said guard comprising at least one length of lightweight tubing the surface of which may be encased by a renewable absorbent sleeve remova'bly wrapped around the tubing and suitably fastened in place.

7. A surface shielding and protecting device of the class described comprising a pair of resilient C-shaped clips, each clip having a shank and said shank terminating ina bendably resilient blade, the blade adapted to be wedged into position between a strip of moulding and a: wall surface to thus support the clip adjacent wall sur face in a plane at right angles to the wall surface, said clips being adapted to be spaced longitudinally apart and in axial alignment, and a tube removaly suspended between the clips, said tube having an absorbent surface capable of being positioned in close proximity to the. wall surface to take up excess paint.

8. The structure defined in claim 7 and in combination, a generally rectangular flat-faced plate constituting a shield and provided along at least one longitudinal edge with an opening, and means for supporting said plate in a position extending horizontally above a predetermined tloor space, said means comprising a split resilient collar provided at one end with a hook-equipped. tongue, said tongue adapted to pass through an opening provided therefor in a selected edge portion of the plate.

9. For use on a wall structure including a moulding, a paint guard comprising an elongated, substantially rigid, cylindrical member, and brackets on said member for removably mounting same horizontally on the wall structure in parallelism thereto and in abutting engagement therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, said brack ets comprising split, resilient bands encircling the memher under tension, and radial, resilient blades on one end of said bands for insertion behind the moulding.

10. For use on a wall structure including a moulding, a paint guard comprising an elongated cylindrical memher, an absorbent cover removabiy mounted on said memher, and common means for securing said cover on the member and for removably mounting said member horizontally on the wall structure parallel thereto and with the cover in contact therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, said means including brackets comprising split bands encircling the cover at longitudinally spaced points, and blades extending angularly from one end of said bands and inserta'ble behind the moulding for mounting the brackets thereon.

11. For use on a wall structure including a moulding, a paint guard comprising an elongated cylindrical member, an absorbent cover remova'bly mounted on said memher, and common means for securing said cover on the member and for removably mounting said member horizontally on the wall structure parallel thereto and with the cover in contact therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, said means including brackets comprising split bands encircling the cover at longitudinally spaced points, and blades extending angularly from one end of said bands and insertable behind the moulding for mounting the brackets thereon, said bands being resilient and gripping the cover under tension for securing same on the member and for frictionally securing said member in a rotatably adjusted position on the brackets.

12. For use on a wall structure including a moulding, a paint guard comprising an elongated cylindrical memher, an absorbent cover removably mounted on said member, and common means for securing said cover on the member and for removably mounting said member horizontally on the Wall structure parallel thereto and with the cover in contact therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, said means including brackets comprising split bands encircling the cover at longitudinally spaced points, and blades extending angularly from one end of said bands and insertable behind the moulding for mounting the brackets thereon, said blades being resilient to be bent and tensioned when inserted behind the moulding for yieldingly engaging the cover with the wall structure.

13. For use on a wall structure including a moulding,

a paint guard comprising an elongated cylindrical member, an absorbent cover removably mounted on said member, and common means for securing said cover on the member and for removably mounting said member l1ori zontally on the wall structure parallel thereto and with the cover in contact therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, said means including brackets comprising split bands encircling the cover at longitudinally spaced points, and blades extending angularly from one end of said bands and insertable behind the moulding for mounting the brackets thereon, said bands being resilient and gripping the cover under tension for securing same on the member and for frictionally securing said member in a rotatably adjusted position on the brackets, said blades being resilient to be bent and tensioned when inserted behind the moulding for yieldingly engaging the cover with the wall structure.

14. For use on a Wall structure, a paint guard comprising a substantially rigid tube, means for mounting said tube on the wall structure in engagement therewith for receiving excess paint therefrom, a plurality of split bands mounted on the tube, upstanding tongues on one end of said bands, and a shield comprising a substantially horizontal plate fulcrumed cit-center on top of the tube and having, in the portion thereof which overlies said tube, openings receiving the tongues, said tongues including angularly bent free end portions engaged on the plate for retaining same in a substantially horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,563,889 Zastrow Dec. 1, 1925 2,545,638 Wheatl-ey Mar. 20, 1951 2,698,003 Bullock Dec. 28, 1954 2,889,804 Dim et a1. June 9, 1959 

